Microsoft Releases Blink App For Windows Phone 8

Microsoft Research has rolled out a new application called 'Blink' for the Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system which will help users snap photos both before and after they start shooting. In short, Blink will help you get the shot at just the right moment even if you are an amateur photographer.

"Blink captures a burst of images before you even press the shutter, and continues to capture pictures after you've taken your shot," Microsoft said. With its image stabilization technology, Blink removes camera shakes and brings the focus on the important parts of the scene.

Blink works both as an individual app as well as a lens and it stores all the images in a bottom row. Users can navigate between them by swiping left and right. As you select the best image of your choice, it becomes part of your official Camera Roll.

However, if you are looking for high-resolution photos, Blink app is not for you. In what seems to be a major drawback of the app, images are not saved at their full resolution, but are reduced down to just 1280x720. If you are taking high-action photos such as a football game or of moving pets, Blink is your best option to get your right snap as you can choose the right photo from a dozen photos you snapped.

Meanwhile, not all are in praise for the app. Though the app has largely received good ratings on Windows Phone Apps page, there a few negative reviews as well. "The picture quality of the pictures does not match my normal photos. The app has no access to things like flash. I doubt it does facial recog," one user noted. "I feel it should be easier or more intuitive to save multiple shots, IE multiple selection," another user opined.

"Users cannot take advantage of the built-in flash, nor does the app display the usual face detection rectangle when taking portrait pictures," Mihaita Bamburic of Betanews notes. Using the app, he said it delivers the best result when holding the device still. Bamburic said the photos suffer from motion blur in out-of-focus areas when following a moving object.